Archives refer to various forms of historical records, such as words, charts, audio-visual and so on, which are directly formed by past and present state institutions, social organizations and individuals engaged in political, military, economic, scientific, technological, cultural and religious activities and are of preservation value to the country and society.

First, the range of file creators is very wide. Party and government organs, social organizations, enterprises and institutions, each of us can become an archivist;

Second, the contents reflected by archives cover a wide range of fields, and all aspects of social life can be recorded in archives;

Third, the types and forms of archives are diverse. We often see government documents, engineering drawings, seals, photos, audio-visual materials and emerging electronic documents. , which is the carrier of archives;

Fourthly, archives are the original records directly formed by every activity we engage in. We didn't create files to manage them. It comes from the original records produced by our activities in real life and work, and is an objective and real material formed with human social activities.

Fifth, archives are original materials with preservation value.

Second, the attributes of the file

Originality is the essential attribute of archives. Archives are the transformation of the original documents directly used by the parties at that time, that is, archives are the original records of history, which determines the essential difference between archives and ordinary books and materials. The key to judging whether a material is a file is whether it is original or not.

In addition, archives also have objective authenticity, information and knowledge storage.

Third, the role of archives.

Generally speaking, the role of archives has two aspects: one is the role of vouchers; The second is the reference function.

For a specific unit or individual, the role of archives is reflected in the following aspects:

1. Archives are a true and comprehensive reflection of the history of a unit or individual.

2. Archives are an important tool for units or individuals to safeguard their own rights and interests.

3. Archives are the basis of standardized management.

4. Archives are an important carrier for us to accumulate and spread knowledge.

5. Archives are important materials for the construction of unit culture, especially for enterprises to establish corporate culture.

6. Archives are the most powerful tool for a unit or individual to establish and use the credit system in social activities, production and operation, and obtain development.

Finally, archives are an important carrier for our country and national culture to establish historical memory and inherit civilization, and are important materials for "this generation can know the past and future generations can know the present".

Four. Types of files

According to the formation and utilization of archives, archives are generally divided into: document archives, scientific and technological archives, accounting archives, capital construction archives, personnel archives, photo archives, audio-visual archives, seal archives, etc. In addition, for some professional and strong professional businesses, special files can be established, such as tax files, industrial and commercial files, litigation files, notarization files, customs files and so on.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) The nature and task of archives

Archives are cultural institutions that centrally manage archives, and are responsible for receiving, sorting, keeping and providing archives within their respective responsibilities.

The task of the archives is:

1. Receive and collect files.

2. Scientific management of archives.

3, to carry out the use of archives.

4. Editing and publishing archival historical materials.

5. Participate in compiling history and records.

VI. Types of Archives

According to the principle of unified leadership and hierarchical management, China's archives have set up national comprehensive archives from the central to the local level, and some industries have also set up professional archives and departmental archives according to their own business needs, forming a complete archives network system.

1, Central Archives.

At present, there are three national comprehensive archives at the central level in China, namely: 1 Central Archives, which is responsible for managing the archives of central and state organs; China No.1 Historical Archives, which is responsible for collecting and managing archives formed by central institutions in Ming and Qing Dynasties; The Second Historical Archives of China is responsible for collecting and managing the archives formed by the central institutions during the Republic of China.

2. Local national comprehensive archives.

Provinces, cities specifically designated in the state plan, prefectures, cities, counties and districts shall set up national comprehensive archives, which shall be responsible for the management of the archives formed by the organs, people's congresses, governments, CPPCC and other institutions of China's * * * production party at the corresponding level and the relevant archives in various historical periods within their respective responsibilities.

3. National specialized archives

At present, China has China Photo Archives.

4. Department files.

At present, there are public security files, geological data files, surveying and mapping files and meteorological files.

Seven, the national comprehensive archives service object

The service objects of the National Comprehensive Archives mainly include:

1, Party committees, government leaders and departments at all levels.

2. The broad masses of the people.

3. Approved compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and foreigners.